Date nights for years. This can be difficult to not fall into a rut, although, sometimes the rut is comfortable and that’s ok too. My husband and I have standard dates depending on the time of year, so I thought I would share some of our favorites along with a bunch of others I’ve seen people do.

In the previous post I shared one that works well here in Willow and surrounding areas, the taco Tuesday and movie night. It’s cheap and easy, and also fun to go see a movie in the theater once in a while. But here are a few more ideas to get you out and enjoying each other:

• Hiking – we don’t do this often as a couple, but it makes a great date!
• Biking – this one my kids use as a date more than me and my husband, but they love it.
• Kayaking/canoeing – this is a fun summer date, my husband isn’t fond of this, but my kids love doing this for a date.
• A trip to the big city – Anchorage is our big city, and no matter what we’re going for, it’s fun to go together.
• Running errands together – this may not sound like a date, but we love to do this together once in a while. It gives us time alone, and we see what each other is working on so we can visit about things we’re each doing.
• Dinner at home and farm out the kids – we used to do this quite a lot. Grandma would take the kids and we’d grab something from a local restaurant and come home and eat it and watch a movie. It’s way more comfortable.
• Campfire and S’mores – this one is more my kids, but we all enjoy a good campfire once in a while.
• Double dinner date – we don’t go on double dates very often, but it really is fun to get another couple and go do anything on the list, dinner is usually easiest.
• Overnight getaway – We used to do this a lot more, but we still take opportunity once in a while to get away. Sometimes it’s nice to have a change of scenery for the evening and overnight.
• Picnic – We haven’t done this one alone usually, but in the summer I do love taking lunch to my husband on his job site and eating with him… and whoever else is there.
• Popcorn and a movie at home – when our kids were little, we’d put them to bed and then pop popcorn and watch a movie together. It’s still one of our favorite dates even though kids are grown and we do it a lot earlier so we can go to bed.
• Visiting a local tourist trap – Once in a while it’s fun to be the tourist, even locally. Driving north to Denali and visiting one of the touristy places is always one of my favorite things.
• Going to the temple – this is very religion specific, but no matter you’re religion, spending time worshiping together is always a good thing.
• Weekend trip – going somewhere totally new, whether flying or driving, spending a little extra time together and seeing new sights.
• Vacation – Often vacations are family events, but once in a while it’s good to do something totally new in a new place for an extended time, like a week or 10 days.
• Learn a new skill together – take a painting or cooking class together, maybe dance lessons. Something that you both can get into and enjoy.
• Go fishing – maybe this is an Alaska thing, but I’ve been fishing with my husband a couple times and I thought it was really fun.
• Skiing, snow boarding, or snow machining – even in the winter it’s fun to get outside and spend time together.
• Play a game together – I love playing games, this one is especially fun when you have another couple or maybe even a group of couples.
• Host a party with several other couples – make it a potluck so you’re not stuck cooking everything, or maybe a progressive dinner if you all live close enough.
• Holiday themed dates – dye Easter eggs, carve pumpkins, go to a parade, most holidays have fun activities or traditions that revolve around them.
• Take goodies to friends or neighbors – whether you drop the goodies and run, or stay and visit, everyone loves a treat and possibly a visit.

Some dates cost money, there’s a lot of things you can do together that don’t cost anything. It’s all about spending time together. They say when you have a shared experience, especially something physical that you have to do together, it strengthens the relationship more quickly than just being together. I love spending time with my husband, I hope this gives you some great ideas to spend time with your spouse or significant other. If you have any fun date ideas, I’d love to hear them!